Insert a battery: Once all the components are installed, test the circuit by adding a battery (see Figure 4 and slide 8). Carefully slip the battery underneath the copper tape flap made earlier and center it inside the circle icon. Make sure the positive side of the battery (top, marked with the battery model and +) is facing up. Press the copper flap over the battery, and tape it down with clear tape. For more advanced students, challenge them to add more LEDs and/or sensors and buzzers to their greeting card paper circuits. The next step is to attach the LED to the template. Before you can do this, you need to determine which side of the LED is positive and negative.

Set up a computer and projector to show the class the 13-slide Making Light-Up Pop-Up Greeting Cards Presentation, a PowerPoint® file. Alternatively, as makes sense for your class, just show/make handouts of certain slides for students or use the slides as a teacher preparation resource. Line B: Place copper tape along Line B, which includes a corner. To keep a solid connection of copper around corners, use a folding technique to press the tape into the shape (see Figure 1 and slide 6). or more) LED; use the smallest size you can find so it does not add much bulk to the folded greeting card, such as 3-mm size for 35¢ each; for extra flair, consider using 3-mm, color-changing cycling RGB LEDs for 50¢ each; alternatively, cut apart individual LEDs from a set of LET string lights and then use a hobby knife to scrape the coating off the wires before using OR experiment with different LEDs to find what works best for the project objectives Electronic circuits are at the core of nearly every new technology. Circuits power cell phones, computers and televisions, and are essential in cars, houses and kitchens. Circuits are everywhere and modern innovations would not be possible without them. Circuits enable electricity to flow between speakers, bulbs, buzzers, sensors, buttons and batteries. When engineers design new technologies, they often design and build companion electronic circuits so the technology functions as intended. In this activity, students are reminded about how electronic circuits work and then build their own circuits using simple, easy-to-use materials and provided templates (three designs). A PowerPoint® presentation is provided. The next stop in the hop is the blog of Cassie Trask!You can also start at the hop’s beginning over at the Pear Blossom Press blog. SUPPLIESThe kids were super excited to see all the lights lit up once we had everything put together! We drew and colored a simple tree to create this fun DIY light-up Christmas card!

Next, bend the other leg flat and curl it into a spiral by using the tip of a pliers to lightly grab the end of the wire and curl it around the tool. After you finish coloring the template, cut an “X” where the LED will go. The last step is to fold your template in half. Step 3 – Apply Copper Tape Some familiarity with electronic circuits and a working knowledge of the function of LEDs, batteries and wires. If new to working with electronics, see the Additional Multimedia Support Section for suggested online resources.

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paper circuit: A low-voltage electronic circuit created on paper using conductive copper tape, LEDs and a power source such as a small battery. Begin with the pre-activity assessment about basic circuitry. Present the Introduction/Motivation content to the class. Then hand out the supplies and begin the presentation. Attach a button/switch: Next, place the LilyPad button on the oval icon on the template, facing up (see slide 10). It does not matter which side touches positive and negative. Make sure the conductive pads on the bottom of the button touch the copper tape, then tape down the ends with clear tape. Be careful not to tape directly over the push part of the button or it may interfere with the ability to press it. As an alternative, use a LilyPad switch instead of a button; the installation is the same.